The News
Georgia’s pro-Russian ruling party, Georgian Dream, claimed outright victory in Saturday’s general election, a result contested by pro-European opposition parties who blamed vote rigging.
The election commission said the ruling party secured more than 54% of the vote. But the country’s President Salome Zourabichvili said she did not recognize the victory, alleging electoral fraud and Russian interference, as well as calling for protests against the result.
Meanwhile, Hungary’s President Victor Orbán, who has a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, will travel to Georgia today to personally congratulate the leader of Georgian Dream.
SIGNALS
Global criticism mounts against Georgian Dream
The head of the European Parliament delegation in Georgia described the result as a “sophisticated, widespread and well-orchestrated scheme” by Georgian Dream, which has sought to build ties with Russia in recent years, Politico wrote. EU nations issued similar statements and called for a widespread investigation, meanwhile, the US has reportedly prepared sanctions against Georgian leaders. However, there are concerns that Orbán, “the EU’s troublemaker-in-chief,” might use his visit to Georgia to suggest that the bloc supports the result, a move that would be an “imposture,” according to one EU diplomat. Ultimately, Budapest’s “freelance” diplomacy once again pits the US and Europe against Moscow: “This sort of power politics makes EU officials uncomfortable,” Politico said.
EU dream slips away
Georgian Dream, which is led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has taken an “authoritarian turn” in recent years, moving away from the West and Georgia’s long-term goal of joining the EU. The election was seen by some members of Georgia’s opposition as the last chance to “get the country back on track” for EU membership, a move supported by nearly 80% of the Georgian population. Instead, the results suggest that Moscow is “closer than ever to its goal of creating another client state.” However, unlike Georgia’s 2020 election, where vote-rigging accusations also emerged but without backing by Western governments, “it remains possible that after a delay there is an upsurge of protests,” the Economist noted.
